Hues Of Love

20

ROSALIE SAT on the swing on the porch next to Beth, as they watched Abbi throw snowballs at Henry. They'd planned to go sledding the next day, and Henry was even more excited than Abbi, "I love you," Beth whispered out of nowhere, causing Rosalie's heart to flutter. She pulled Beth closer, and took a contented breath.

"I love you too, Beth," so very much. When they saw a vehicle pulling up in front of the cabin, Henry's eyebrows furrowed. That's mama's car.

Alex stepped out, and both Beth and Rosalie felt like they were hit with a ton of bricks. What's she doing here?

Abbi noticed the stranger, and stood still, before running over to her mothers. As for Henry, he brushed his gloved covered hands together, and met his mother halfway, "mama, what are you doing here?" He asked.

Alex pulled him in for a hug without saying anything. He hugged her back with concern lining his forehead, "I missed you," Alex said. Henry forced a smile, trying to hide his own discomfort, "I thought I'd take the trip up since it's Christmas. Well, I'm a few days too late, but I'm still here," Alex said. That drive was so damn long.

Henry led Alex into the house. As they passed his other mothers, Rosalie lowered her eyes to her daughter sitting on her lap. They'd never gotten along with Alex, especially since she'd revealed Rosalie's secret identity to the world, including how volatile she'd become after her and Rosalie's breakup. And Alex despised them both for being together too, which is why they were surprised that she was there. What were her intentions?

Abbi jumped off of her mother's lap, and rushed in behind her brother. She'd never seen that woman before, and was curious to know who she was, "Henry!" Abbi called, as she ran into him, almost knocking him over, "who is she?" Abbi asked. She pointed almost harshly. But it was unintentional. Alex felt uneasy that Abbi didn't even know who she was. Was Henry that ashamed to call her his mother?

"This is Alex," Henry introduced, making Alex's heart sink. She succeeded at a poker face, and smiled at the little girl, as Henry lifted her up.

"Is she here to collect her presents from mommy?" Abbi asked.

Henry didn't know what else to do but nod. How was he to explain to his little sister that he had another mother? They'd never discussed Alex infront of Abbi, since they'd decided it was for the best that she didn't know about her.

"Yeah..." Henry trailed off and rubbed the back of his neck. He needed to be saved, but no one seemed to want to confront Alex.

"It's nice to meet you..." Alex couldn't even remember the little girl's name. Henry mentioned it once or twice over the years, but her memory was failing her.

"Abbi, come here," right, Abbi. Kaitlyn called, as she walked out of the kitchen. She looked at Alex with the most uninterested eyes, as though her presence didn't matter. I wish my daughter would have filed that restraining order back then. But Rosalie never wanted to.

"Grandma, you know her too?" Abbi asked. Kaitlyn still hadn't forgotten how much hurt Alex had caused to both of her daughters. And she certainly didn't want that woman anywhere near them or her grandchildren. Even though Alex was Henry's mother, for the majority of his life, she never acted like it. What was she trying to achieve by being there? All Alex did was tamper with the happiness of those Kaitlyn loved the most.

Kaitlyn asked, "you want hot chocolate? Let's go into the kitchen, shall we?" Abbi shook her head, but Kaitlyn still led her into the kitchen.

"What are you doing here, Alex?" Beth asked. She crossed her arms over her chest, as she leaned against the door. Rosalie pushed past her, and headed into the kitchen behind her mother.